Mohamed Toure Former Rutgers LB on Multi-Day Visit

[twes.305]

The only true impactful guys we lost from Defense are Baron, Barrow, and Maugioa. Y’all out here biching like we lost some elite players. This team is fine, and deeper and better at almost every position. Is it on the level of Bama or UGA, no. When it comes to WRs, it was a team effort last year, the qb, WRs, and OC all did their jobs. Even though the WRs were productive, all 3 went undrafted and Horton thought good he’s not elite by any means. CJ Daniels, JoJo, and Marion is a solid 3, just as talented as last years group. Wild cards are Carr, Toney, Johnson, and Ray Ray. Still got other young guys like Upshaw and Moore.

 

[ST26]

The only true impactful guys we lost from Defense are Baron, Barrow, and Maugioa. Y’all out here biching like we lost some elite players. This team is fine, and deeper and better at almost every position. Is it on the level of Bama or UGA, no. When it comes to WRs, it was a team effort last year, the qb, WRs, and OC all did their jobs. Even though the WRs were productive, all 3 went undrafted and Horton thought good he’s not elite by any means. CJ Daniels, JoJo, and Marion is a solid 3, just as talented as last years group.

Ward was just fine without a "WR1" last season. Same with Beck in 2023. Dawsons system is extremely friendly to WRs, so they will definitely put up numbers. The ceiling is high for this room, so lets see which guys step and get the most production

 

[twes.305]

Ward was just fine without a "WR1" last season. Same with Beck in 2023. Dawsons system is extremely friendly to WRs, so they will definitely put up numbers. The ceiling is high for this room, so lets see which guys step and get the most production

Exactly.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

The only true impactful guys we lost from Defense are Baron, Barrow, and Maugioa. Y’all out here biching like we lost some elite players. This team is fine, and deeper and better at almost every position. Is it on the level of Bama or UGA, no. When it comes to WRs, it was a team effort last year, the qb, WRs, and OC all did their jobs. Even though the WRs were productive, all 3 went undrafted and Horton thought good he’s not elite by any means. CJ Daniels, JoJo, and Marion is a solid 3, just as talented as last years group.

I'd argue the defense was so ******* pathetic that there was no such thing as an impactful guy, but I obviously see your point.

Really, Baron wasn't even playing much during the later part of the year. I'd love to have him back, but I don't think his loss is going to impact much.

By far, to me, the biggest impact we're going to potentially feel is going to be the loss of Barrow. I felt the defense was different when he was on the field versus when he wasn't. If we could have one player back from the entire 2024 defense, it'd 100.0% be Barrow to me.

So someone needs to step up. Or a combination of players. Justin Scott, Blay, and Moten are going to need to play 90% of the snaps between the three of them, and then you can mix in Jones, Simpson, possibly Newton or Russell, also can steal snaps there occasionally with Bain, Mesidor, or Blount. We have bodies. We just need the ones who haven't played much (looking at you, Justin Scott) to be able to eat up quality snaps. Something almost every program does at multiple spots every year.

Thanks.

 

[Gables Cane]

The only true impactful guys we lost from Defense are Baron, Barrow, and Maugioa. Y’all out here biching like we lost some elite players. This team is fine, and deeper and better at almost every position. Is it on the level of Bama or UGA, no. When it comes to WRs, it was a team effort last year, the qb, WRs, and OC all did their jobs. Even though the WRs were productive, all 3 went undrafted and Horton thought good he’s not elite by any means. CJ Daniels, JoJo, and Marion is a solid 3, just as talented as last years group.

I agree with your post except the bold part implies that having the same talent (on paper) could/should result in the same production. [I recognize you did not say that.] That’s where things could go sideways and where many of us remain concerned.

Let’s say, hypothetically, CJ replaces Horton’s production and Jojo replaces George’s production. That leaves Restrepo. To believe that Marion (or Johnson or RayRay or Toney) will replace Restrepo’s production is fool’s gold. It will not be close. That’s a massive gap and that’s why many of us wanted Pena who had similar production at Syracuse.

I recognize that we may not need to replicate last year’s passing game production and performance to win games. If the running game is elevated and the defense drastically improves, we can match or surpass last year’s regular season performance. But, no matter how you slice it, it’s unlikely that this year’s starting WR corps (CJ, JoJo and Marion/Johnson/RayRay/Toney (pick one)) will match last year’s passing game production, notwithstanding their potential.

 

[PennsylvaniaCane]

As with any defense, this one will need to keep the offense behind the sticks. First down efficiency will be important for the front 4. Keep a high percentage of 2/3 down 7 yards+ and you can hide a lot of deficiencies. Slanting/stunting and giving up numbers/leverage on short yardage was a recipe for disaster.

Started with USF and then continued on all year. We gave teams the choice to pick us apart piece by piece (USF, VT, GT) or just get big chunk yard plays (Syracuse, Louisville, Cal). Hopefully the revamped secondary will cut half of that problem and allow Heatherman to dictate the play.

 

[The U is back to work]

Wr1 is Jojo’s spot now, he took that next step in spring, and he has the talent to be it. He’s a sophomore this year, so we have to believe he’s ready.

Let’s hope

 

[PennsylvaniaCane]

I agree with your post except the bold part implies that having the same talent (on paper) could/should result in the same production. [I recognize you did not say that.] That’s where things could go sideways and where many of us remain concerned.

Let’s say, hypothetically, CJ replaces Horton’s production and Jojo replaces George’s production. That leaves Restrepo. To believe that Marion will replace Restrepo’s production is fool’s gold. It will not be close. That’s a massive gap and that’s why many of us wanted Pena who had similar production at Syracuse.

I recognize that we may not need to replicate last year’s passing game production and performance to win games. If the running game is elevated and if the defense drastically improves, we can match or surpass last year’s regular season performance. But, nobody how you slice it, it’s likely CJ, JoJo and Marion/Johnson/RayRay/Toney (pick one) will match last year’s production notwithstanding their potential.

I think you’ll see the TEs get a whole lot more targets with Beck which will offset some of that production. If there was one flaw with Cam was that he sometimes overlooked the easy throw to try to push the ball down the field. I’m sure Arroyo could have easily had x2 the catches he did if he was looked at more. In fact I think we had a couple turnovers where the check down was there but Cam tried to push the ball to a receiver.

 

[F-MarioCristobal]

Regardless if WR1 is Jojo or if we don't have a true WR1, it'll be interesting to see how Dawson's offense performs without a go-to slot WR.

Last 4 years he has had Tank Dell and Xavier Restrepo as his leading WR. Guess it could be Toney but seems like we even planned on pursuing only a true outside WR for the WR1 job. Could have kept that trend with Pena and they clearly didn't want to make it happen.

 

[grover]

I'd argue the defense was so ******* pathetic that there was no such thing as an impactful guy,

… Justin Scott, Blay, and Moten are going to need to play 90% of the snaps between the three of them, … We have bodies.

I excerpted the key points from your post.

The optimist believes that Hetherman is known for doing more with less and that we added more talent (especially at DB) so will see a 2016 level improvement.

The pessimist says we were so atrocious last year Herherman can’t possibly turn the defense into a high functioning operation especially since we don’t have a reliable S2 or MLB and it’s unrealistic to believe none of our three starters at DT get injured.

Would have been nice to have more pieces in place to not put so much pressure on Hetherman.

 

[twes.305]

I agree with your post except the bold part implies that having the same talent (on paper) could/should result in the same production. [I recognize you did not say that.] That’s where things could go sideways and where many of us remain concerned.

Let’s say, hypothetically, CJ replaces Horton’s production and Jojo replaces George’s production. That leaves Restrepo. To believe that Marion (or Johnson or RayRay or Toney) will replace Restrepo’s production is fool’s gold. It will not be close. That’s a massive gap and that’s why many of us wanted Pena who had similar production at Syracuse.

I recognize that we may not need to replicate last year’s passing game production and performance to win games. If the running game is elevated and if the defense drastically improves, we can match or surpass last year’s regular season performance. But, no matter how you slice it, it’s unlikely that CJ, JoJo and Marion/Johnson/RayRay/Toney (pick one) will match last year’s passing game production notwithstanding their potential.

And that’s fine, but it does not mean the passing game wil be bad. It will still be a very good passing offense. My point still stands the team overall is better at almost every position and more talented. You have solid WRs, a great college qb, and an elite OL. The offense will still be very good.

 

[twes.305]

I'd argue the defense was so ******* pathetic that there was no such thing as an impactful guy, but I obviously see your point.

Really, Baron wasn't even playing much during the later part of the year. I'd love to have him back, but I don't think his loss is going to impact much.

By far, to me, the biggest impact we're going to potentially feel is going to be the loss of Barrow. I felt the defense was different when he was on the field versus when he wasn't. If we could have one player back from the entire 2024 defense, it'd 100.0% be Barrow to me.

So someone needs to step up. Or a combination of players. Justin Scott, Blay, and Moten are going to need to play 90% of the snaps between the three of them, and then you can mix in Jones, Simpson, possibly Newton or Russell, also can steal snaps there occasionally with Bain, Mesidor, or Blount. We have bodies. We just need the ones who haven't played much (looking at you, Justin Scott) to be able to eat up quality snaps. Something almost every program does at multiple spots every year.

Thanks.

Agreed, but if 1 guy not being there next season who went undrafted is the reason your DL sucks then u have a lot bigger problems on your hands.

 

[OrangeBowlMagic]

Agreed, but if 1 guy not being there next season who went undrafted is the reason your DL sucks then u have a lot bigger problems on your hands.

I agree, and I never said the DL is gonna suck. Just selfishly if I could have one kid back, it’d be Barrow. The DL will be fine. If it’s terrible then we don’t have the right coaches. Everyone on earth wanted Justin Scott. Could have literally picked any school in America. It’s year 2. Time to be an impact player. Moten looked very good last year. Blay should be, at absolute worst, average to above average. Coach the kids, put them in a scheme they can learn and flourish in.

 

[TheOriginalCane]

I'd imagine that if we let Toure leave Miami without locking down a deal, then we had medical concerns and he will not be a Cane.

Just an educated guess.

 

[ST26]

I agree, and I never said the DL is gonna suck. Just selfishly if I could have one kid back, it’d be Barrow. The DL will be fine. If it’s terrible then we don’t have the right coaches. Everyone on earth wanted Justin Scott. Could have literally picked any school in America. It’s year 2. Time to be an impact player. Moten looked very good last year. Blay should be, at absolute worst, average to above average. Coach the kids, put them in a scheme they can learn and flourish in.

Jason Taylor has A LOT to prove this. There is no more excuses for him anymore, as there is a lot of talent in this DE room. If this group can't be dominant, Jason Taylor should be let go

 

[N.M.B. Cane]

Jason Taylor has A LOT to prove this. There is no more excuses for him anymore, as there is a lot of talent in this DE room. If this group can't be dominant, Jason Taylor should be let go

Especially after banging the guys wife in the show ‘friends and neighbors’

 

[tdjones34]

I agree with your post except the bold part implies that having the same talent (on paper) could/should result in the same production. [I recognize you did not say that.] That’s where things could go sideways and where many of us remain concerned.

Let’s say, hypothetically, CJ replaces Horton’s production and Jojo replaces George’s production. That leaves Restrepo. To believe that Marion (or Johnson or RayRay or Toney) will replace Restrepo’s production is fool’s gold. It will not be close. That’s a massive gap and that’s why many of us wanted Pena who had similar production at Syracuse.

I recognize that we may not need to replicate last year’s passing game production and performance to win games. If the running game is elevated and the defense drastically improves, we can match or surpass last year’s regular season performance. But, no matter how you slice it, it’s unlikely that this year’s starting WR corps (CJ, JoJo and Marion/Johnson/RayRay/Toney (pick one)) will match last year’s passing game production, notwithstanding their potential.

Why can't marion do it?
He has almost similar career stats to pena

Pena got a huge opportunity and had a great year
Is he that good or was it opportunity

Seems like marion will get an opportunity

 

[DemCanes10]

I have PTSD from Guidry. I heard the same stuff - less talent and top ranked defenses. “If he shut down ND with Marshall talent, imagine what he will do with guys at Miami.” What I saw last year was the destruction of the greatest season a Miami offense has ever had with his whacked out schemes that nobody ever picked up. Again, I’m excited about Heatherman as well, but let’s not build him a statue quite yet.

It’s easy to feel that way when one unit is the root cause and we get hit with injuries within that unit.

We were bad but I’m not gonna act like the secondary didn’t get hit with massive injuries

 

[Trav]

Why can't marion do it?
He has almost similar career stats to pena

Pena got a huge opportunity and had a great year
Is he that good or was it opportunity

Seems like marion will get an opportunity

A lot of buzz that Marion was due for a breakout year at BYU. Sure would be nice if that happens.

 

[CaneDog66]

And that’s fine, but it does not mean the passing game wil be bad. It will still be a very good passing offense. My point still stands the team overall is better at almost every position and more talented. You have solid WRs, a great college qb, and an elite OL. The offense will still be very good.

I seriously doubt one of RayRay, Toney, or Marion will match X's production from 2024. But, as a group there shouldn't be any less expectation for them to closely mirror his production as a collective group. If Dawson's offense is truly tailored to the slot position, then between these 3 I don't see why we cannot have a Top 25 offense.